Saturday, May 22, 2010

I am considering getting a VERY small house dog for my son (2 1/2). Any suggestions?

I do not want the little dogs that bark constantly. Looking for one that would be good with my little one.
Answers:
don't do it..i have a 2 1/2 yr old as well. he is too little to understand how to be around a small dog and he could hurt it and the dog could react by biting him and I know you wouldn't want that to happen. just wait until he is older and understands what is involved in taking care of a small dog. my son is great around our GSD but get him near the cat and he gives a hug by laying on top of her.not good.
maltese. They are like 8 pounds full grown and they are cute as a button.
Keep in mind that this dog will really be your dog. Young children always need supervision with any pet. This is a great time to teach your child how to treat animals though. Check out this site
www.petfinder.com
Good luck
Pugs are great with kids, sturdy and not to big. You might want to look into this breed.
Is he old enough to understand how to treat a dog. Toddlers are still that age were they are Very rough w/ dogs w/o knowing it. Going to pet the dog he pets to rough. trying to pick up the dog he squashes it. when it starts to wiggle he drops it. does he know not to pull ears and tails. I would wait until he understands before you get any dog, excpecially a small dog. This will help prevent a dog that is kid aggressive, more specifically help prevent dog bites.
Terriers, I think they're called.actually, I think I'm thinking of the right dog. The dog on that show Frasier, that's the one I'm thinking about. You might also want to look into beagles. They're both small, intelligent dogs.
We have a Chiahauhau and he is great with kids. Full grown is about 6.5 pounds. Our does not bark constantly, but that is part of training him. When he was just a pup and he'd bark without reason we'd spray water in his face (lightly). Of course he barks some - he's a dog, but not an nusance barker. Like I said - he's great with kids and other dogs.
Personally i don't like little dogs.too annoying and loud. I recommend getting a medium to large dog. They are usually better with kids and more protective of them and their family. A very good choice would be a labrador. They are full of love and are usually very gentle with children. Also, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are good choices.If you want something a little smaller, any variety of a collie is also a good choice; they are also very gentle and are considerably smaller than a labrador! I don't recommend the typical little house dog, as they tend to be a little more snippy than larger dogs. You can also look into a lab mix or another non-purebred if you don't wish to have a purebred. The only little dog that i can think of that would be small and not so annoying, is a Daschound. (can't spell, sorry. a "hot-dog" dog)
Yorkie or malteese. You might want to consider an adult dog, since your son is so young. Puppies can be a handful and little children can easily hurt them. (Unintentional, of course) Also, you can find an adult that is already trained and you will know it's barking history. Try looking in the paper, or finding one at a shelter that was owner surrendered. A lot of times owners will leave a letter with the animal describing it's personality. Good luck!
I'd wait until your 2 1/2 kid grows up some and can handle the responsibility of having a dog. Unless taking care of your kid isn't enough for you.
First of all.. any dog will be yippee if you teach them that it's ok. Second VERY small dogs are not suitable for small children. Kids until about 6-8 depending on the kid are not able to be sympathetic towards a dog. Young children also don't know when they are being too rough. My friends son was playing with his hamster when he was nearly 3 and accidentally squished it to death because he just didn't understand how careful you have to be. I would give it 3 or 4 years at which time he can care for the animal himself, and give it the respect and safety it deserves.
A Beagle,or a Jack Russel Terrior
DO NOT get a bichon.

Yes, they're cute, they're fluffy, but unless you train them VERY well and get them from a VERY good breeder, they will not be very good pets for those with children under ten.

Don't get me wrong. I love my bichon. He's been to SEVERAL trainers, and he STILL has dominance issues.

Don't risk it, though.
how large a space do you have. Old english sheepdogs are GREAT with kids, They are known as Nanny dogs. They don't bark all that much and great watch dogs.

I know the link below is for a breeder in michigan but if you scroll down on the left they give some really good info.

Wikpedia gives more detail. You can find a rescue place near you through oes.org
Be VERY VERY careful buying a very small dog with a toddler. Your son won't be able to help it - toddlers are very rough with dogs. My suggestion is to get a bigger dog (not huge, but not toy sized) or wait until your son is older.

That being said, we have 2 papillons and LOVE them. One is really yippy and vocal, but the other one isn't at all. They are both very lovable and they adore kids.
I have a chihuahua but I don't recommend them for a two year old they can get hurt easily. A miniature pinscher would be better for a small dog. One of the answers recommend a Maltese I also had one for many years but they require a lot of grooming and with a child I don't suppose there is much time for grooming and professional grooming is expensive.
A very small dog with a toddler is not a good idea - unless you want to be spending time %26 money at the vet getting broken legs fixed! A good small but sturdier breed that is good with kids %26 not yappy is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Remember: NEVER leave a young child unsupervised with any animal - if they are in a situation where the child causes them pain (pulling tail or fur) a young child will not recognize the warnings of a growl or raised lips %26 it may escalate to a bite!

Go to www.akc.org to find a breeder (or rescue group - many past housetraining are available, and the foster owner can tell you which ones have prior good child experience).Good luck!
The smallest you should go (with a toddler) is a schnauzer or a beagle. Make sure you get them as puppies so it can grow *with* your child and they will become best friends!

The schnauzer is a wonderful family pet. Eager to please and to keep the family safe. This breed thrives on human companionship and is available in three different sizes.

An agreeable temperament makes the Beagle a good pet.

GOOD LUCK!
I agree totally. I think its a great Idea for kids to have pets. Thats the only way for them to learn how to treat an animal gently. But please please do not get a small dog around a small child. The child can really hurt or kill a little dog without meaning too. I have 5 children and have always had large dogs. German Shepherds ( mine had to be put to sleep because of of medical problems ) then we got a a Saint Bernard. These dogs are to big for the lil ones to hurt and are able to run away from the children when they bother them to much.

Just remember with any animal ya get you have to train not only the dog but the toddler too. It takes time and effort but in the end if done right it is very rewarding.
I will soon have a maltipoo. It is a mix between a maltese and a poodle. I have a 16 month old so that is why I am choosing this dog. I have researched and found that this dog is smart and easy to train. They have little to no shedding. And they are quite cute I might add.
**OMG**! Do NOT be so STUPID!

NO dog is safe from human young %26 SMALL ones are the WORST!

THINK,OK?

The kid will TORMENT the poor thing %26 could *BREAK/KILL* it %26 IT will BITE!

NO dogs for rug-rats under 10!! %26 ONLY BIG STUPID ones so they don't NOTICE the TORTURE!

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